Eastern Area Net Changes effective August 1, 2021

The Eastern Area Net or EAN has been part of the ARRL’s National Traffic System since its inception 70+ years ago. However in 2015 as many are aware there was a split with the creation of Radio Relay International or RRI. Much of what was considered NTS above the section level, including all of the Central and Pacific or Western areas affiliated with RRI while Eastern Area was split, operating two area level nets both meeting nightly. Effective August 1, 2021, NTS’s EAN will merge with RRI’s RRIE nets, consolidating resources. This net will be called EAN, will be reporting to both ARRL and RRI, and will continue to meet at 2030 Local time but will change frequency to 3552 kHz with backup at NCS discretion of 7052 kHz. Net manager will be Phil “Pip” Sager WB4FDT.

New Group Formed to Discuss ARRL New England Division Elections

Anyone interested in the fall ARRL elections for the New England Division Director and NE Division Vice Director should considering joining a new discussion list just created at:

https://groups.io/g/NE-elect 

Description from list owners:

NE-elect is an open forum to discuss ARRL Section Manager, Vice Director, and Director elections within the New England division with a focus on issue-oriented discussions and the candidate’s views on issues. We also encourage discussion on ARRL governance.  Opinionated, spirited debate is welcome. Please keep your posts short and concise. Mean-spirited or slanderous remarks or the use of profanity or obscenity is not allowed and subject to removal.

This is an important Division election.  An informed electorate is important.  This group is only days old.   Sign up at: <https://groups.io/g/NE-elect> 

73,

Tom K1TW

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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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W0MXX: “High Altitude Ballooning: Going to the Edge of Space” at Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, July 13, 2021

New England Sci Tech logo
Coming Tuesday, July 13 at the New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society: “High Altitude Ballooning: Going to the Edge of Space” by Max Kendall, W0MXX.  
 
This talk will introduce high altitude balloons and then describe Max’s experiences in building, launching, and recovering them.  Amateur radio transmitters play a critical role in recovery of payloads.
 
Max is one of our youth members who has achieved Tech and General licenses and is now working on his Amateur Extra license.
 
[For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.]

New England Sci-Tech General Class Online Course, August 2-5, 2021

New England Sci Tech logoAmateur radio (or “ham radio”) is used by people all over the world to communicate over radio waves. Some people use ham radio for emergency preparedness, to provide communications support for community events, to report on severe weather and natural disasters, as a social activity, and even occasionally to contact crew members on the International Space Station!

This ON-LINE course will get you ready to take the Ham Radio GENERAL license exam, the SECOND of three certification levels. Geared toward adults, as well as junior high, high school, and home-school students. Yes, we give online ham radio exams, too! (See below)

This is a FULL course taught by a 40-yr veteran teacher, not a discussion group or video service. You will learn much more than just watching a video or buying a book.

Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Optional but recommended text: ARRL General Class License Manual, 9th edition, for exams through June 30, 2023, (purchase on ARRL website). Regular practice and study is necessary to get the best results from this course.

NOTE: You MUST have a thorough understanding of the Technician and General material before taking this course.  If you are already a licensed Tech or General but have been away from radio for a while, you may request to audit (at half price) one of our Tech and/or General courses to catch up.

Current offerings:

4 day course: M-Tu-W-Th Aug 2-5, 8:30-11:30 pm Eastern

System Requirements: Computer or Chromebook capable of running ZOOM Meeting, either by Zoom app or through a web browser, a web camera/mic, and a printer.

Included with course: You will get downloadable lecture study guides and charts, free access to our weekly Online Radio Shop Talk sessions, and a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Rooms and radio club meetings for 3 months, online or in-person.

Family Free: Additional members of the same family may join this course at no extra charge, if sharing one computer and zoom screen.

Zoom Link: A few days before the session you will receive an email with instructions to the course details, documents, and Zoom link. If you don’t see the email, check your spam filter. If you still don’t see it, call or email us.

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

License Exams:

YES, our exam team is authorized to give ONLINE exams, so you can schedule your FCC General exam within a few days of the course. Note that we must collect the standard $15 exam fee for the ARRL VEC separately from the course fee. (Fee is $15 across the country.)

We administer ham radio exams both online and in-person, having proctored nearly 2,000 exams over the past decade. We’ve taught amateur radio classes for over 15 years with tremendous success. Hundreds of people have taken our classes with 99% having passed the exam to become licensed operators. We offer classes for all three levels of ham radio licenses: TechnicianGeneralAmateur Extra, as well as Morse Code.

July ARES and RACES Nets Will be on the Second Monday of July Due to Independence Day Holiday Observed on Monday 7/5/21

Hello to all…
 
We hope everyone has had a great Independence Day holiday weekend so far. With Independence Day being on July 4th, the observed state legal holiday is on Monday July 5th, 2021 so the RACES and ARES Nets will be held on the second Monday of July, Monday 7/12/21 at the usual times. We look forward to talking to everyone on the nets next week. Thanks!
 
73,Rob-KD1CY.
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Massachusetts State Triathlon – Winchendon – Sun 7/11/11 Needs Amateur Radio Volunteers

From the MMRA Email List and KC1US-Bruce Pigott:

Hi Folks,

We’re looking for amateur radio operators to assist with the Massachusetts State Triathlon in Winchendon on Sun 7/11.   It occurs from about 7am to 1pm (some assignments should secure as early as 10am, and most by Noon). This is an Olympic Distance Triathlon, with a .9 mi swim, 22 mi bike and 6.2 mi run. Registration often fills up.   The expanded course will continue, down into the centers of Gardner and Baldwinville.   This means our communications plan will involve using a variety of systems on both 2m and 70cm, including deploying portable repeater systems.   We will forward maps and details about the event to those signed up.

More info online: www.maxperformanceonline.com

If you are interested, please send an e-mail to events@wect.org and let us know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL. Thanks!

Thanks and 73,
Matt, NM1B

Matt Brennan, NM1B
nm1b@wect.org
(508) 425-2750 x107

AB1OC: “Programs Helping Hams to Develop New Skills and Get On The Air” at Billerica ARS Meeting, July 7, 2021

Billerica ARS logoDoug Bruce, N1WRN, writes on the w1hh.org website:

Our next [Billerica Amateur Radio Society] meeting will be Wednesday, July 7, 2021 via Zoom and our guest speaker will be Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC. He will have a presentation entitled “Programs Helping Hams to Develop New Skills and Get On The Air.”

Fred is a great speaker and we are fortunate to have him talk to our Club. Please join us for this interesting and informative talk featuring the President of the Nashua Area Radio Society. Hope to see everyone there.

Youth on the Air Camp 2021 to Activate W8Y and Stream Selected Events Online

YOTA logoFrom ARRL News:

The first Youth on the Air (YOTA) camp for young radio amateurs in North, Central, and South America begins on July 11 in West Chester, Ohio. Among other activities, campers will be operating special event station W8Y from the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in West Chester Township, and also from the camp hotel. The camp will run until July 16.

“We are at 23 campers,” said Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG. “We are very excited to finally bring this program to the Americas. Our young people are bringing an incredible lineup of hands-on sessions for their peers. We hope this pilot gives us the information we need to replicate this camp over multiple locations for years to come. We also hope this brings a more robust community of young hams into amateur radio.”

The long-awaited summer camp for up to 30 hams aged 15 through 25 had been set to take place in June 2020, but it had to be rescheduled until summer 2021 because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns. The camp for young hams in the Americas took its cue from the summer Youngsters on the Air camps held for the past few years in various IARU Region 1 countries. [Full story]

K1USN Radio Club Resumes Saturday Morning Breakfast Gatherings

photo of Mad Hatter Restaurant“Pi” Pugh, K1RV, writes in K1USN Happenings, July 1, 2021:

I want to remind everyone that we have resumed our regular K1USN Saturday morning breakfast gatherings. We meet @ 7 AM at the Mad Hatter Restaurant on Route 53 in Weymouth overlooking Whitman’s Pond.

After breakfast we open up the K1USN club building by 8:30 AM and remain open (with free Starbucks coffee!) until noon. Drop by and say hello.

YuKan Road Races to Begin Effective August 1, 2021

CAARA logoChristopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

<…>

YuKan road races will begin again effective August 1, 2021. Our first live, in-person road race will be the Building Center TripleThreat Half Marathon, 5K & 1-Mile in beautiful Rockport, MA on August 1, 2021. Registration is open. We’re grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding as we all worked together to navigate the difficult circumstances that the pandemic presented us all.

We look forward to seeing everyone return to the starting line at long last. We’ll be there to cheer for you when you reach the arch and celebrate your well-earned finish. Reaching your goals will be a little bit sweeter this year. Cheers to racing again in 2021.

Chris
K1TAT